Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-05-06
sAxony's CAPITOL.
The Principal Foreign Population and
nt.rcantIIa produot of Dresden

The Principal Foreign Population and
Mercantile Product of Dresden.
Dresden is one of the cities greatly
affected by the English, who have q
somewhat remarkable habit OF consider
ing their own country, their own eli
mate and their own society, the most
perfect in the world, and yet of passing
their line at distance from the multi
piled advantages. They flock to Brus-
se.s. They do their best TO fill tho
empty hotels of 0stend in the winter.
though it would be hard to imagine a
bleakcr place than this wind and storm
swept coast during the cold season.
The sporting instinct takes them to Nice
and Mentonc, and reasons of health TO
different points of the Rivera. In the
South of Europe the English arc
usually merely birds of pas
sage, though there are some
who pass so many successful seasons
and so large part Of each here that
they may be almost considered porma-
nent residents. OF these Cannes, first
made known to the English world by
Lord Brougham. has goodly number.
Switzerland knows the English well, as
do also numerous charming localities
along the northern and western coast of
France. They might find many worse
places of permanent abode in Europe
than Dresden, which has not Disagree
able climate in the summer, literary
and artistic atmosphere, and cheap liv-
inc, which is, especially with continent
tai British residents,a desideratum. For
this last object English families with n
small fixed income exile themselves Of
ten to undesirable places The advan-
tages, besides the cheap living, are
usually the means of education which
includes the easy and natural acquisi-
ton of the language of the country and
perhaps of other tongues, a matter OF
considerable Importance tofamilies with
numerous younger members.
Dresden is often called the city Of
rocco, a reputation now due principal
ly to its somewhat gaudy porcelain,
which has, however, somewhat inn
proved in taste since its mention one
hundred and seventy-five years ago.
The era called rocco preceded and in
cluded this date, and the "Dresden
china" so called, has never entirely re-
covered from its influence. In fact, it
seems to be doing what it can to per-
pctuate it, for in looking in at the shop
windows and remarking the great va
ricty of articles of porcelain which are
exposed for sale one is constantly re-
minded of the old palaces in Franco and
the queer taste exhibited in those built
by the great Frederic at Potsdam. This
is not to say that there are not beautiful
and tasteful articles In Dresden CHI ma to
be found. 1t would be sad common
tary on a remarkable period of art and
on ain elegant and reputable industry
to say or to be able to prove otherwise.
But taste in Saxony is one thing and
taste in France is another. The idea Of
grace of form among the French APP
proaches more nearly to the perlectness
Of the antique than that of any other
nation Of modern times, and if piece
OF china does not satisfy this ideal, at
the same time uniting to the two requi-
sites of delicate color and elegant dec
grafton, il is nothing. So the world in
matters of small decoration still inclines
to faience that comes from the various
manufactures of France. How long
will the French have this monopoly of
taste? Not forever, certainly. But
when a portion Of this prestige passes
from them it will not be to the North
Germans, whose distinguishing virtues
of honesty, frankness and depth and
solidity of character torn rather heavy
groundwork for those graces of litera-
| ture and art which are so essential to
the free and pleasurable condition of
n odern existence. - Cor. San francisco
Chronicle.